Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Saturday, August 2Plate by Plate
This is Project by Project's Annual Tasting which benefits the Pacific Asian Counseling Services. This year's 50 participating vendors including hot new restaurants Republique, Faith and Flower, Superba Food and Bread, and many more great restaurants like b.o.s., Bistro LQ, etc (check out the full list).
Tickets are $150 for general admission and $250 for VIP, which can be purchased here.
Time: 6:30pm (VIP), 7:30pm (GA)The Vibiana6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Thursday, August 7LUCKYRICE Feast
Lukshon's Sang Yoon hosts the third annual LUCKYRICE Feast, this time overtaking a club in Hollywood. Participants include LA's Chef Jet Tila, Starry Kitchen, Lukshon (of course), Hamasaku, and more, along with Portland's famed Nong's Khao Man Gai. To keep you hydrated, bartenders from Pour Vous, Harlowe, Hinoki and the Bird, La Descarga, and more will be on hand, pairing each dish with a Bombay Sapphire East cocktail. Check out the full menu here.
Tickets are $150 for VIP early admission and $88 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased here.
Time: 7pm (VIP), 8pm(GA)-10pmCreate6021 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Saturday, August 9LA Scotch Club Peatin' Meetin' VI

This year marks LA Scotch Club's 6th annual celebration of peated whiskies. Along with over 100 whiskies, there will also be craft peated beers from local breweries and cocktails from LA's mixologists. Big Slim's Hickory Creek BBQ will be smoking meats over wood and peat. That's not all, there will also be a cigar lounge and Irish rock and folk live music.

Sunday, August 17Food GPS Fried Chicken Festival
Angelenos love fried chicken so much that we are having the third annual fried chicken festival. This festival gathers some of the city's best chefs, though, including Kris Morningstar, Jason Travi of Superba, and Brian Dunsmoor, along with those known for their fried chicken like Jesse Furman of Free Range LA. Beers and cocktails will also be on hand to wash down all the chicken.

Tickets are $65 for general admission and $90 for VIP which includes one hour early admission and guaranteed seating. Tickets can be purchased here.
Event starts at 3pm (VIP early admission), 4pm general admissionChinatown, 943 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA, 90012

Thursday-Sunday, August 21-24LA Food and Wine

The fourth annual LA Food and Wine Festival returns with over 20 events spanning 4 days. Attendees can take their pick from special lunches with celebrity chefs to the big grand tasting events. Among the events offered are Caviar and Champagne, lunch at Scarpetta with Scott Conant and Graham Elliott, lunch at Republique with Walter Manzke and Michael Tusk, the two grand tastings, Asian Night Market, and cooking demo by Iron Chef Morimoto.
Times and ticket prices vary by event. See the LAFW website for more information.

Friday-Sunday, August 29-31The Taste
Los Angeles Times' The Taste has always taken place over Labor Day weekend, and this year is no exception. Unlike the LAFW, there are five events over three days at The Taste, including this year's Sunday Brunch which is co-hosted by Chef Thomas Keller.
Ticket prices range between $100-150, or $299 for a weekend pass. Purchase tickets here.Paramount Picture Studios

Thursday, February 6, 2014

It's been a while since I've announced upcoming events. Apologies, I'm trying to keep up!

But, there are two coming up in February and March that you should definitely keep in mind.

The first is on Sunday, February 23 (4-8pm): Cochon 555

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This is the sixth year for Cochon 555 and this year there will be 7 chefs from Los Angeles and Las Vegas competing, each using a different breed of pig from a different ranch. The full lineup and info is available here, and it includes Ray Garcia from Fig, Lindy & Grundy, Jet Tila from The Charleson, Christian Page from Short Order and more.

Besides the pork, there will be a bourbon punch competition, a bourbon bar, dessert from Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, a cheese bar from Rogue Creamery and La Brea Bakery, and more booze.

Tickets are $125 for general admission or $200 for VIP early admission (plus fees) and can be purchased here.

The second is LA Weekly's sixth annual food event, now dubbed The Essentials, on Sunday March 9th

The event coincides with the publication of their 99 Essential Restaurants special issue and you'll be able to find some of their restaurants during the event!

New participating restaurants this year include Sqirl, Chi Spacca, HomeState, Bucato, Horse Thief BBQ, Star King BBQ, Bestia, while there are old favorites like Starry Kitchen, Animal, and Jitlada. Get the full lineup here.

Ticket for The Essentials is one of the cheaper ones for food festivals in Los Angeles, going at $45 for general admission (1pm admission) and $65 for VIP admission (12pm admission - sold out now, sorry!). Tickets can be purchased here.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Saturday-Sunday, June 11-12LA Wine Fest
LA Wine Fest returns for its 6th year. On top of tasting hundreds of wines (included with your ticket), restaurants and food trucks, there will be wine and scotch seminars/tastings. Most of them are $20 but Robert Mondavi Wines is hosting a series of FREE seminars and tastings, so be sure to check those out!Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA 90038.

Saturday, June 11
"Exceptional Zinfandel": Zinfandel Tasting Class
Ian Blackburn from Learn About Wine will guide you through California's zinfandels in this workshop, including a big selection of wines from Turley.
3-5pm Cafe Metropol, 923 E. 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
$59 advance tickets (2 for $100) or $95 at the door.

Sunday, June 12Taste of the Nation LA
This mega food/charity event is back, featuring tons of restaurants and more, including a peek at Waylynn Lucas' new Fonuts and Michael Voltaggio's new Ink restaurant, Ray's and Stark Bar, and much much more. There will also be live auction, where you can bid on Voltaggio cooking at your home.
100% of ticket sales supports Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger.
1-4pmMedia Park, 9070 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA
$150 VIP ticket, $125 general admission

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Thursday, September 2-Sunday, September 5, 2010. Taste of Beverly Hills

This Beverly Hills' weekend extravaganza kicks off with a party on Thursday followed "sessions" starting Friday night. Famous chefs from around the country will be doing demos including Art Smith, Michel Nischan, and of course all the famous local chefs you can think of. Mixology? Brunch? Wine? Choose the right session for you by studying their full schedule.Tickets for each session is pretty expensive starting at $135 and a day pass starts from $185, but luckily you can get 50% off tickets to The Art of Brunch on Sunday via Goldstar. There is also buy-1-get-1 deal for the BBQ on the Hills on Sunday night.

Thursday, September 2, 2010. FREE Turkey Burgers

Jennie-O Turkey is hosting a Turkey Burger pop-up restaurant and is giving away free turkey burgers to remind people of this leaner alternative to beef burgers (turkey burgers have 10 g less fat and 100 fewer calories than typical beef burgers). The eastsiders get the goods this time, as this is happening in El Monte.11am-3pm. 11655 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA

The LA County Fair kicks off this weekend also. For this one you should expect things like deep fried Klondike bars and chocolate-covered, bacon-wrapped Oreos, but if those things turn you off you can go for steamed artichoke. Not to leave you dry, you can also sip on the winners of this year's Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Awards. I'm looking forward to Esmeralda's Traveling Circus myself. Trapeze lessons, anyone?Wed-Sun (hours vary). Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768

Sunday, September 5, 2010. LA Times Food & Wine Fest

It's LA Times' first food festival. Not only will there be food from LA's best chefs (including Ludo Lefebvre, Suzanne Goin, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, etc) the festival will also feature live performance by She & Him and Angela McCluskey. There will be a VIP-only area with cheese and sake tasting with the Cheese Impresario and a cooking challenge with Michael Voltaggio, but alas, the VIP tickets are sold out.Thanks to Goldstar, you can now get 50% off non-VIP tickets to this event.12-8PM. Paramount Studios, Hollywood.

Thursday, September 9, 2010. Taste of FPAC

This is the kickoff reception for the 19th annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture.The event will feature The Manila Machine, SoCal’s first Filipino food truck and more food from Chef Guerrero, owner of The Oinkster. You can read Pleasure Palate's post for the full menu. Tickets are $50 and includes all food. Beer will be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture, also known as FilAm ARTS. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Nerissa Silao at nerissa@filamarts.org.6-10 PM. Oinkster. 2005 Colorado Boulevard, Eagle Rock, CA 90041

Wednesday, September 15, 2010. In the Kitchen with Neal Fraser

Los Angeles Magazine is hosting another culinary demonstration at Snyder Diamond, this time featuring chef Neal Fraser of Grace and BLD. The night will start with some appetizers from the Snyder Diamond's chef. Chef Fraser will show you how to cook two dishes:Entrée: Sautéed Day Boat Scallop aged goat cheese risotto and peasDessert: Vanilla Panna Cotta, market berries, salted caramelEverything will be paired with wine by LearnAboutWine.Tickets are $40. Please call Estrellita Dacanay at (323) 801-0034 to purchase.7-9PM. Snyder Diamond Showroom, 1399 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Celebrity Chef Cook-off at The GroveTop Chef contestants Betty Fraser and Alex Reznik (Ivan Kane's Cafe Was) will battle it out this weekend at The Park at The Grove from 6-8pm. The event is free and open to the public and there will be tastings from various restaurants. Read: Free cooking demo and free food!

Angeleno Magazine's Chef's Night OutThis event celebrates Angeleno Magazine's Annual Restaurant Issue, where James Beard Award-winning food critic Brad Johnson will present awards to what he deems LA's best chefs and restaurants in 2010 while guests wine and dine. Expect to see Chef of the Year Michael Cimarusti of Providence and runner-up Ludo Lefebvre from Ludobites, the Hatfields from their namesake Restaurant of the Year, and Best New Chef Michael Voltaggio.VIP reception starts at 4:30 and the main event starts at 5:30 pm.Tickets are $95 for general admission, $150 VIP and can be purchased here (use code ANG10 to get $20 off GA tickets).Proceeds go to the LA's Best after-school enrichment program.Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica

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Looking Ahead:On Saturday, August 14, sommelier-turned-wine-maker Joshua Klapper will showcase his 2008 releases of La Fenêtre wines, paired with small dishes by Chef Neal Fraser of Grace/BLD. The $29 ticket (use code 'JOSH' to get $10 off of $39) will allow you to taste 8 wines paired with 8 dishes. While the website says the menu may change based on market availability, it teases with Crab Salad, Bay Scallops, and Squab crostini. Sounds like a great deal to me!Seatings are available at 5, 6:30, and 8 pm. Tickets can be purchased here. LearnAboutWine Loft/Loft 218. 530 Molino St, Los Angeles, California 90013

100% of the ticket proceeds (a mere $5 entrance fee that may get you a raffle prize) goes to Achievable, a non-profit organization which helps individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism.Westside Food Fest. Saturday, July 31, 12-4 pm. Venice High School (13000 Venice Blvd)$5 entrance

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Plate by Plate is an annual "tasting benefit" by Project by Project (such clever names). The 8th annual event is coming up on Saturday, August 14, 2010, partnering with Health Justice Network.

I'm pretty excited about the lineup because some of these I rarely see at these types of events, including Mo Chica, Bistro LQ, The Foundry, and include restaurants from celebrated names like Nobu, Craft, all the way to San Gabriel's Hot Stuff Cafe and blogger-celebrated downtown luncheonette Starry Kitchen.

Since Health Justice Network acts as a collaborative voice for the API community for the right to quality health services, Plate by Plate will also have special API celeb attendees, Aziz Ansari included.

Advance purchase tickets are $125 or $200 for VIP and can be purchased here.But act fast and get the regular tickets here on Goldstar for just $68!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

The widely popular LA Street Food Fest will be back with a Summer Tasting Event on July 24th at The Rose Bowl!This time it's not just street food though, it will also have popular restaurants like Mo Chica, Starry Kitchen, Malo and Pal Cabron participating, along with dozens and dozens of street food vendors.

Instead of a nominal entrance fee and pay-as-you-go format like last time, the upcoming Tasting Event will have a $45 entrance fee ($65 VIP) with unlimited food from over 60 vendors and drinks (yep, beer, cocktails, tequila and mezcal included - I'm talking major tequila/mezcal tasting here with 13 different brands!).

To get you even more interested, the event will also have live performances by two of our best local bans, The Deadly Syndrome and Warpaint (catch some of their music videos). There will also be photo booths for that photogenic you and a cook-off judged by Top Chef Master Susan Feniger and more.

Now, the last event did meet with a lot of complaints because of the lines and crowd (it was really popular, what can you do?) but the $45 entrance fee and limit on ticket sales this time may mean smaller crowd, and instead of waiting for you to order, the vendors will just crank out the food they're serving that day, which should mean faster lines.The first Street Food Fest back in February also marked the first appearance of the Ludo Fried Chicken truck, which will soon actually hit the streets.Ludo's fried chicken, now affectionately known as "Ludo's Balls" probably gathered the longest line of people waiting for both food and photo+signature ops. At $5 per order, it was indeed the best and cheapest opportunity for these piping hot babies.Will he be back this time? No official word on that yet, one can only hope.We won't lack celebrity chefs though, as Susan Feniger will be on location leading a panel of judges for the cook-off competition.

Other vendors whose food I enjoyed last time and will be back for more this time around:mini ice cream sammies from Coolhaus.Kimchi and foie gras fries from Frysmith.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Going to downtown artwalk? Have a cupcake while you're at it! Ten cupcake bakeries will compete for the title of best cupcakes during next week's downtown art walk. Each bakery will give out 300 mini cupcakes to the public (that's 3000 mini cupcakes total!). If a mini isn't enough for you, full sized cupcakes will also be available for purchase. There will also be DJs, a photobooth, and pop-up jewelry shops.6-9 PM. Free to the public. 620 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA.

This is one of LA's most interesting events as it prominently features the city's best Latin cuisine along with Latino-owned or operated wineries in Napa! This year, the fifth annual East LA Meets Napa will also feature some wineries of Baja California from Valle de Guadalupe in commemoration of Mexico’s Bicentennial celebration.

The restaurant lineup includes Rivera, Loteria Grill, Cook's Tortas, Phlight, Cacao Mexicatessen, and much more, and will be accompanied by wines from Beringer, Ceja, Sequoia Grove, and more.

40 LA vendors including Jar, STREET, Valerie Confections, Breadbar, Dr. Bob's Ice Cream and more will join in this fundraising extravaganza for the Saban Free Clinic, accompanied by over 80 wineries including Gruet and Stag's Leap.The Saban Free Clinic provides freemedical, dental and social services to the needy. This year, the Clinic will provide nearly 90,000 free patient visits to those who need them the most.Tickets are $80 before July 1 (VIP tickets are available for $200). As of July 1, tickets are $100 and $225, respectively. For more info or reservations, call 323.330.1670 or visit www.thesabanfreeclinic.org/extravaganza.7-10 PM (6-10PM VIP). Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 North Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028.

I won't be able to attend that, unfortunately, but no need to pity me. I will be in Santa Fe with a few other bloggers, attending this:

This is also the 13th year for Taste of Santa Fe, which raises funds for the New Mexico History Museum. The event starts with a gala dinner on July 16, featuring four chefs from Santa Fe and LA's very own Chef John Sedlar of Rivera, who grew up in Santa Fe. There will also be blind judging taste competition, a live auction, and plenty of champagne and wine.Tickets are $200 pp.6-9:30PM. New Mexico History Museum, Santa Fe, NM..

The next day follows with a "Community Taste Event" with 50 food/restaurant stations (+4-5 dessert booths) and 8 wine stations. For Californians trying to get to know the Santa Fe food landscape, what could be a better opportunity?Tickets are $25 for 12 tastes or $35 for 18 tastes.2-6PM. Santa Fe Railyard Park, Santa Fe, NM.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

On June 27 Gev Kavanchyan works together with Firestone Walker Brewing Company for a fundraising to benefit Real Medicine Foundation which provides medical support to disaster, post-war, and poverty stricken areas.They will pair five beers with artisanal sausages and fries at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank. Tickets are $35 (all inclusive) per person and all the proceeds will go to the charity. Since there'll be no ticket sale at the door, you must get it online here.

Can't make it? There are so many ways to help!The easiest and most popular way is to text 'HAITI' to 90999 and $10 will be given to Red Cross and charged to your cell phone bill.Or, just go to the nonprofit website of your choice and donate. I donated to Partners In Health.

-------------------All through the weekend you can also Drink to Help Haiti! Starting tonight 20% of proceeds from sales of Revolution Ale in the taproom will be donated to Haiti relief efforts. Reservations are available on Friday, Saturday, Sunday 4p-10p. Email ting@eaglerockbrewery.com for a reservation.3056 Roswell Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065. (323) 257-7866

-------------------Sat, Jan 16 is also Kiss My Bundt's Cake Tasting Event. All you can eat bundt cakes from 8pm-10:30pm, wine tasting, and coffee for only $10? It's the perfect time for after dinner dessert, too.8104 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. (323) 655-0559Kiss My Bundt also has an ongoing series of hands-on baking classes ($50 on the weekdays, $55 on weekends -- or you can also get the baking class tickets for cheaper ($30-32) from Goldstar here). There are also kids' baking classes, intro to frosting, etc. Check website for full calendar.

-------------------Tuesday, January 19Five finalists for Coral Tree Cafe's "Panini-Off" will compete from 8-10:30 PM at the westside location. This panini-off is open to the public and proceeds from that night will benefit LA Firemen's Relief Association.11645 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood, CA 90049.

This class/lunch costs $55.00 per person. If you can't make it to this one, you might want to check out their other upcoming events including their sparklies and their chocolate+red wine pairing.

San Antonio Winery, 737 Lamar Street, Los Angeles. (323) 330- 8771

----------------------------Also on Sunday, Jan 24:From 5pm to closing, 10% of all sales at Barbrix will go to Doctors Without Borders for their Haiti Relief efforts.2442 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Taste (and indulge in) and judge six different punches.If that's not enough, there will also be as much Hot Buttered Rum as you care for served by RumDood himself (he's the one in hawaiian shirt and fedora hat).

And of course, snacks to keep you afloat all that rum you're drinking.

For just $12, that could be you hot and buttered up in the middle of Malo Cantina this Thursday!

It's fun seeing your friends go places. Like when blogger friend RumDood goes to hold his first ever LIVE punch competition at Malo Cantina this coming Thursday, December 10!

But alas, since I can't be there to see it for myself, I was hoping blogging about it will send some of you guys reading there. Hopefully sending a proxy will make up for me not showing up. In other words, I want all of you to go there on Thursday and get punched up!

Monday, October 12, 2009

October 15-18. Okay, so this is not in LA area, but the Tequila Expo is going on down in Tijuana, and I'm planning to check it out with a few bloggers led by Street Gourmet LA. The festivities start at 1 pm every day on Av. Revolucion.Saturday, October 17.Stonefire Grill celebrates the grand opening of its Pasadena outpost by giving out FREE meal to those who make reservation to dine between 5 and 9 pm. While your meal is free, tips are being collected and donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, so please, please tip well! More details on the Yelp event page. Reservations are required and limited to parties of four; call Meredith McWade at 818-991-4054 ext. 0. 473 North Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

Sunday, October 18. LA's very own San Antonio Winery is holding "Taste of Italy" and has prepared samplings of food from various regions of Italy (with the wine pairing of course). The tastings include regions you rarely hear of such as Antipasto of Umbrian smoked dried meats, mushrooms, cipolline, artichoke hearts and olives (Wine: Armaldo Caprai, Grecante 2007) and Grilled seafood pescatore kebabs from Liguria (wine: Luzano Verdicchio de Castello di Jesi, 2008). 10 dishes in all + dessert for $50 pp. 2-5 pm, 737 Lamar Street. Call (323) 330- 8771 for reservation.

Monday, October 19. Truffle Dinner at Minestraio Trattoria. To see the menu and details, see my previous post here.

Sunday, October 25. Los Angeles Magazine once again presents The Food Event.Last year's Food Event was a great fun with cooking demos and contest between the top chefs in LA.This year promises to do the same with cooking demonstrations from exciting chefs such as Ludo Lefebvre from the heavily missed Ludobites (come back soon, Ludo!), John Sedlar from Rivera, Suzanne Tracht from Jar, Andrew Kirschner from Wilshire, and David Myers from Sona and Comme Ca. There will of course be tons of food and wine samplings from Petrossian, Gordon Ramsay, Westside Tavern, Loteria Grill, and numerous wineries.The event is held at a lovely outdoor setting at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu Hills. 1-4 pm.Tickets are $95 and benefit the American Heart Association and Kids Courage Foundation.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

I'm not sure why but I signed up to be in Los Alamos and Santa Fe for about 3 weeks. Before that there is the much anticipated Baja trip(!!). Oui, oui, there will many delicious Southwestern food waiting for me! But alas, I will be away from LA for all that time and apparently I will be missing many many exciting and delicious events.

Sunday, July 26. L.A. Beer Float Showdown! On this day, Golden State will gang up with Scoops to battle Bottle Rock LA who's teaming up with Milk on the first ever L.A. Beer float showdown. You'll get to judge two beer floats from each contestant. Tickets are $23 if you RSVP to joshua@foodgps.com by July 25 or $28 at the door. Proceeds benefit 826LA, a non-profit writing and tutoring program for kids 6-18. 3:30 PM. Blue Palms Brewhouse, 6124 Hollywood Blvd.

Saturday, Aug 8. Festival of Indonesia. In celebration of the 64th Indonesian Independence Day, a festival will be held at the Indonesian Consulate featuring traditional music and dance, arts and crafts, and - of course - Indonesian food (why else would I blog about it?). The traditional music includes local genre of dangdut, which I could only file under the category "campy" (i.e. it's so lame it's awesome). 10AM-10 PM. Indonesian Consulate, 3457 Wilshire Blvd.